---
title: "The Willows Day Care Nursery, Soham | Ofsted: Good"
url: https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/the-willows-daycare-nursery-cb7-5ee-221551
description: "The Willows Day Care Nursery in Soham — rated Good by Ofsted. See fees, opening hours, photos and contact details. Compare nearby nurseries."
lang: en-GB
---

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# The Willows Day Care Nursery

Ofsted: Good

(Feb 2022)

· 5.0 (3 Google reviews) · The Willows Daycare Nursery, Mereside, Soham, CB7 5EE · Cambridgeshire

Number of places

68 places

Age range

0–4 yrs

Last inspected

Feb 2022

Local authority

Cambridgeshire

## About this day nursery

The Willows Day Care Nursery, nestled in Soham, CB7 5EE, offers comprehensive care for children aged 3 months to 5 years. The day nursery is thoughtfully organised into three age-specific rooms: "Cubs" caters to infants from 3 months to 2 years, "Badgers" to toddlers aged 2 to 3 years, and "Owls" to preschoolers aged 3 to 5 years.

The day nursery prioritises admissions based on several criteria, including children in care, those with special educational needs or disabilities, vulnerable children, siblings of current attendees, and local residents. A waiting list is in operation, and full-time places may be given preference depending on occupancy and availability.

Parents are required to complete a contract and registration form, providing essential details about their child, such as dietary needs and emergency contacts. The nursery operates with an Inclusion and Equality policy, ensuring equal access regardless of gender, race, disability, religion, belief, or parents' sexual orientation.

They are committed to supporting families and work with parents regarding fee payments and changes in booking. The nursery provides government-funded places for early education, with a termly intake.

Our ethos

We operate an Inclusion and Equality policy and ensure that all children have access to nursery places and services irrespective of their gender, race, disability, religion or belief or sexual orientation of parents.

What it's like

Children happily join in with a wide range of play-based activities in this spacious and inviting nursery. The experiences and activities that they enjoy are carefully organised by staff to support children's developmental progress. All children become confident communicators during their time at the nursery due to staff focus on developing their speaking and listening skills.

Age-specific rooms Priority admissions Government funded places available Inclusion and Equality policy

## Pricing & funding

Registration fees are required to secure a place, with different terms applying to children attending funded-only hours. Late payments are subject to an additional percentage charge.

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)

Good to know

- Registration fee is required to confirm a child's place.
- Registration fee for funded-only children is refunded once the child starts.
- Late payments incur a 10% charge if not paid by the stated date.

## Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm.

Age range

3 months to 5 years old

Term time / All Year

All Year

Waitlist

Waiting list operated

Ofsted Inspection

## Ofsted rating for The Willows Day Care Nursery

Last inspected 8 February 2022

Safeguarding effective

Overall effectiveness

Good

Quality of education

Good

Behaviour and attitudes

Good

Personal development

Good

Leadership and management

Good

What it's like to attend

Inspector highlights

- The provider, leaders and staff work together to achieve a high quality of care and education.
- The whole team places a strong emphasis on helping children to acquire good communication skills.
- Children become confident and engaged learners, feeling a sense of belonging.
- Partnerships with parents are positive and effective.
- Staff observe and assess children to identify where they are in their learning and development, promptly identifying where extra support is needed.

Areas to develop

- 1 develop further the planning of opportunities and activities for babies who may prefer to learn outdoors
- 2 monitor and evaluate staff practice more closely, giving them constructive feedback that helps them to know how to further improve their interactions with children.

Inspection #10062079 · Source: Ofsted View full Ofsted report (https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50179532)

Inclusion & environment

## How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff observe and assess children to identify where they are in their learning and development. They promptly identify where children may need extra support to make good progress. Staff work closely with parents and other professionals to identify and put in place support that helps children to catch up with their peers.

Outdoor space

Older children and toddlers enjoy playing in the outdoor areas, pretending to build a garage for vehicles with real bricks, digging in the sand and practising their balancing skills on climbing equipment. Babies also have time outside every day, although with a narrower variety of opportunities for them to explore outdoors.

EAL / language support

Children who speak English as an additional language grow in confidence. Their home languages are valued. For example, staff let them choose what language to say 'hello' in during their group song time.

## Google Reviews of The Willows Day Care Nursery

5.0

(3 Google reviews)

Martin Smith

3 years ago

Our son has been going to The Willows for over a year and a half now and he absolutely loves it there. The staff have been absolutely terrific with him since day 1 and he has definitely benefited from being there. Thank you very much for looking after him so well!

Read on Google (https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m6!14m5!1m4!2m3!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURSMklITmV3EAE!2m1!1s0x47d86b18402039fd:0xdd841814a5f5ad5f)

Sarah Lynn Drayton

7 years ago

I've always been very happy with the care my child has received whilst attending this nursery. The staff all seem lovely and caring.

Read on Google (https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m6!14m5!1m4!2m3!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUN3dEl5aTVBRRAB!2m1!1s0x47d86b18402039fd:0xdd841814a5f5ad5f)

Megan Herdson

a year ago

Read on Google (https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m6!14m5!1m4!2m3!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnTURBNTZQRXZ3RRAB!2m1!1s0x47d86b18402039fd:0xdd841814a5f5ad5f)

Reviews from Google for The Willows Day Care Nursery. See all on Google Maps (https://maps.google.com/?cid=15961909456270634335&g_mp=CiVnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLkdldFBsYWNlEAIYBCAA)

Inspection history

Date: August 2004

- March 2022 Good
- February 2022 Good
- February 2016 Good
- January 2016 Good
- April 2013 Requires improvement
- March 2013 Requires improvement
- July 2011 Requires improvement
- January 2008 Requires improvement
- August 2004 Good

## Frequently asked about The Willows Day Care Nursery

### What is The Willows Day Care Nursery's Ofsted rating?

### What are the fees like at The Willows Day Care Nursery?

### Does The Willows Day Care Nursery accept funded hours?

### What are the opening hours at The Willows Day Care Nursery?

### Does The Willows Day Care Nursery support children with special educational needs?

### What ages does The Willows Day Care Nursery cater for?

### How does The Willows Day Care Nursery support communication skills?

### How can I contact The Willows Day Care Nursery?

## About the setting

The Willows Daycare Nursery registered in 1993. The nursery employs 20 members of childcare staff, with 15 holding appropriate early years qualifications at levels 2, 3 and 5. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round, with sessions from 7.30am until 6pm, and provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children.

URN

221551

Registered person

Seal, David George

Day care type

Full day care

Register

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register

Establishment type

Childcare on non-domestic premises

Previous rating

Good

## Nearby day nurseries in Soham

Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to The Willows Day Care Nursery.

- Ofsted: Good
  4.1 mi
  ### Little Thetford Acorns Pre-School and Children's Club
  Ely · CB6 3HG
  5.0(11 Google reviews)
  https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/little-thetford-acorns-pre-school-and-children-s-club-cb6-3hg-ey405040
- Ofsted: Good
  4.4 mi
  ### Red House Day Nursery
  Cambridge · CB25 0HD
  https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/red-house-day-nursery-cb25-0hd-2665802
- Ofsted: Good
  4.6 mi
  ### Bright Horizons Ely Day Nursery and Preschool
  Ely · CB7 4EX
  3.3(12 Google reviews)
  https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/bright-horizons-ely-day-nursery-and-preschool-cb7-4ex-ey491997
- Ofsted: Outstanding
  4.8 mi
  ### The Maltings Day Nursery
  Ely · CB7 4BB
  https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/the-maltings-day-nursery-cb7-4bb-ey389853

See all nurseries in Soham →: https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/search?q=Soham

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